Christopher F.'s TealogChristopher F.'s tealog on Steepsterhttp://steepster.com/
2007 Ontario Te Ji Shou Pu-erh from Whispering Pines Tea CompanyThis was my first loose-leaf and Shou Pu-erh tea. The first steep was an extremely dark amber/maroon shade, and with each successive infusion, lessened to a brighter shade of red with a lovely dirty earth(is that even a thing?) aroma. I remember the smell and taste being exactly what I needed at that moment; it hit the spot and gave me the pick-up I was looking for. The flavour was typical of a pu-erh: earthy, musty, strong, bold, and honestly, these flavours by themselves can be overpowering, but in this tea they were very well balanced; not overwhelming at all. My two teaspoons lasted about 13 cups before I gave it up. Overall the tea is delicious and long lasting, making it very economical. I would definitely buy this again.Sun, 25 Aug 2013 18:06:34 -0400/teas/2007%20Ontario%20Te%20Ji%20Shou%20Pu-erh/39654-2007-ontario-te-ji-shou-pu-erh?note=189179
Yabao from Whispering Pines Tea CompanyDelicious. I treat this the same way I steep/drink my Longjing - Pour water at correct temp into a tall glass, leave buds/leaves in, drink until 1/3 left and then add more water. Repeat until flavour is gone. Sometimes I even mix the two together; there is no bitterness that I can taste when doing this.
By itself:
The aroma is full of sweet pine. It reminds me of Whispering Pine's Sleeping Bear.
The taste is what you'd expect from a white tea: light, delicate and a very gentle aftertaste of honey.
The buds dance around the tall glass going up and down throughout out the session.
Sun, 19 Jan 2014 14:07:17 -0500/teas/Yabao/43253-yabao?note=216826
Golden Dragon Yellow Tea from TeavanaHonestly, I love this tea; I bought 6oz of it. I miss the 90 bucks it all cost, but this tea is just great!
If anyone can recommend a similar tea that is less expensive, I'd be forever in your debt.
~1tsp in yixing pot,
1-2 steeps 15seconds with 175F
Colour is light golden.
Aroma is of mild honey, floral and sweet.
Taste is much of the same with a smooth buttery finish, that doesn't stick around too long.
3-4 Steeps 20 seconds 180F
Colour is more of a yellow/green, still pleasing.
Aroma has settled on the floral notes and less on the honey.
Taste is much lighter, more delicate, but less complex.
5th steep 25 seconds 180F
Colour is now like a clear yellow.
Aroma still hits with the floral, but significantly less "umph" to it.
Taste has mellowed out and the buttery finish is almost gone.
I'll keep steeping with 30sec times until I get clear water out of the leaves. I really enjoyed this one. The spent leaves are also very attractive on the bottom of the yixing pot.Wed, 22 Jan 2014 11:39:37 -0500/teas/Golden%20Dragon%20Yellow%20Tea/43360-golden-dragon-yellow-tea?note=217588
Shan Lin Xi High Mountain Oolong from Eco-Cha Artisan TeasReceived this tea in January 2014's Steepster Select box.
The aroma of this steeped is similar, to me, to an unsteeped four seasons oolong. The colour is close to that of a yellow highlighter... It's almost glowing in my glass cup.
Tastes slightly like some fruit. The included card says pear, but I don't get a pear taste. Can't put my finger on it, but I do like it.
Kind of similar to an older tieguanyin.
Overall not my favourite ever, but a very interesting tea to have. I wouldn't mind having more in my cupboard.Wed, 22 Jan 2014 18:13:39 -0500/teas/Shan%20Lin%20Xi%20High%20Mountain%20Oolong/40648-shan-lin-xi-high-mountain-oolong?note=217704
Red Jade from Eco-Cha Artisan TeasIncluded with January 2014's Steepster select box.
Well, I didn't not like it, but I barely did like it.... I got nothing that the card mentioned in the flavour profile.. no cinnamon, no cloves, no mint. It was named correctly though, There's a lot of red in this black tea. I've had better black teas, the taste was mediocre. I steeped twice and tossed the spent leaves out.
Edit:
After reading people's positive experiences with this tea, and Eco-Cha's notes and background info, I've decided to give the 2nd packet a go, this time gongfu style...
HUGE difference!
Although still not my favourite black, the gongfu method really brought out some of the flavours I missed the first time around. I enjoyed this tea last night, it was a very nice experience. Thanks for taking the time to reply with the extra info and opinions, Eco-cha, it's changed my opinion of this tea for the better.Thu, 23 Jan 2014 10:32:24 -0500/teas/Red%20Jade/40646-red-jade?note=217908
Pan Fired Green, Organic from PannikinSan Diego airport brew whilst I wait for my plane to Colorado to board. The staff that made the tea used boiling water, or extremely hot... but definitely not 175-185F, which I think would have made this tea better.
Putting the above peeve aside, the tea is nice. I order this everytime I fly out of San Diego, and will continue to.
Aroma and taste are nutty and vegetal, as described, but the "buttery finish" never happens for me, most likely due to the water temp.
Maybe in the future I'll ask to have them not put the bag of tea in the water until I can let it cool down.Sat, 25 Jan 2014 08:33:52 -0500/teas/Pan%20Fired%20Green,%20Organic/43601-pan-fired-green-organic?note=218530
Organic Long Jing from SteepsterLongJing always has a place in my cupboard, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed this one the most from January's Steepster Select; or maybe the Okubucha.. Can't decide yet.
Brewed in the traditional Dragonwell method, I emptied contents into a warmed tall glass, poured in 180F spring sourced water and let sit until the leaves expanded and danced around the glass. I drank the glass 2/3rds and added more water to the remaining 1/3rd. I had maybe 5 infusions with this method, the last resulting in mostly clear hot water with very little flavour.
The aroma was nutty and vegetal, as described on the packet, and lasted through the first 3-4 infusions.
The taste was typical of Longjing, and I thought it to be delicious. The fact that it's organic only made it better.
Definietly a great tea, and I've yet to have a bad longjing...knock on wood.Tue, 28 Jan 2014 16:31:35 -0500/teas/Organic%20Long%20Jing/43445-organic-long-jing?note=219633
Da Hong Pao Red Robe from SteepsterDespite being a fan of Wuyi rock oolongs, this is my first Da Hong Pao, and it is amazing! I enjoyed the roasty, burnt caramel aroma. Prepared this the gongfu way in my yixing whilst indulging in my second addiction: pipe smoking. The sweet tobacco with the roasted aroma of the Da Hong Pao was enough to settle me in for the night for many more steepings. I would definitely like more of this one...Tue, 28 Jan 2014 22:02:03 -0500/teas/Da%20Hong%20Pao%20Red%20Robe/43444-da-hong-pao-red-robe?note=219759
Earl Grey Black from TeavanaI always keep a tin full of this stuff. It's my go-to black tea for iced tea and tea eggs, but rarely drank hot.
Since cutting back on alcohol, I've explored the confusing and sometimes blasphemous world of iced tea, only to find failure at every turn. It seems most of my delicious teas are truly meant to be enjoyed hot, but sometimes you just want a nice cold beverage. This tea, along with Teavana's Moroccan Mint, saved the day, and I always have at least one pitcher of this in the fridge. Good stuff.Wed, 29 Jan 2014 11:52:27 -0500/teas/Earl%20Grey%20Black/1163-earl-grey-black?note=219870
Moroccan Mint from TeavanaMakes a great pitcher of iced tea. Sometimes you just want a cold drink with a crisp edge, and this fills that craving for me. There's always a pitcher of this in my fridge.Wed, 29 Jan 2014 12:01:06 -0500/teas/Moroccan%20Mint/2028-moroccan-mint?note=219871
Gyokuro Imperial from TeavanaThanks to Tea Junkie for this sample. Love it... I desperately want more. One of the better green teas I've had. I'm afraid that I greedily drank it all down without takign any notes..Mon, 24 Mar 2014 17:31:22 -0400/teas/Gyokuro%20Imperial/662-gyokuro-imperial?note=233860
Six Summits from TeavanaThanks to Tea Junkie for this sample. I dislike sweet tasting teas. I've always preferred dry/slightly bitter/vegetal/earthy/dark tasting teas. This is quite possibly the sweetest tasting straight tea I've ever had... and I couldn't stop drinking it. When I reached the end of my sample (the same day I received the sample) I shed a wee tear; it was like being told there is no Santa! I'm quite convinced I'll never drink a tea this sweet this good ever again, and I'm ok with that, it was a good experience for me, and I'll cherish the memory, but it's time to go back...Mon, 24 Mar 2014 17:37:51 -0400/teas/Six%20Summits/626-six-summits?note=233861
Monkey-Picked Oolong from TeavanaThis tea and I get along so well. It's subtle enough not to get in the way but strong enough that every sip is tasted and appreciated. I always have a couple Tieguanyins in my cupboard and this particular one has always had my respect; probably due to the dear cost of the thing.
It's buttery, not as much as Teavana's Golden Dragon, with a nut/grainy aftertaste. Sun, 27 Apr 2014 17:26:43 -0400/teas/Monkey-Picked%20Oolong/906-monkey-picked-oolong?note=240394
Milk Oolong | Jin Xuan from TealuxExcellent stuff. Not the best Jin Xuan I've ever had, but not far off and it's a bargain for the price.
A sweet buttery aroma from the tin, almost like Caramel popcorn.
Taste is milky and smooth. Very enjoyable, just don't steep too long.Fri, 20 Jun 2014 21:52:55 -0400/teas/Milk%20Oolong%20%7C%20Jin%20Xuan/33362-milk-oolong-jin-xuan?note=249960
Golden Snail Yunnan Black Tea from Whispering Pines Tea CompanyThis is brilliant. Light notes of honey and sweet chocolate. I'll definitely be ordering more when I'm out.
Sun, 22 Jun 2014 11:24:16 -0400/teas/Golden%20Snail%20Yunnan%20Black%20Tea/39307-golden-snail-yunnan-black-tea?note=250209
Lipton Black Tea (Loose, 1/2 pound Box) from Liptonahhh... The PBR of the tea world.
Nothing complex, compelling, or even interesting to this tea. It's brews your basic crowd-pleasing iced tea. It suits my needs by taking the place of my after-work beer as I try to get healthier, and at $4/8ounces you cant go wrong as it doesn't try to be anything it's not...Mon, 23 Jun 2014 18:28:35 -0400/teas/Lipton%20Black%20Tea%20(Loose,%201%2F2%20pound%20Box)/22405-lipton-black-tea-loose-1-slash-2-pound-box?note=250409
Lemon Grass Chai from EnjoyingTea.comGot as a free sample with my Father's Day gift teapot.
Upon opening the bag you are instantly smacked with a lemon citrus aroma wafting in your face; it's pleasant. The brew is a glowing red as the lemon scent continues to fill the room. The taste, though not living up to the expectation built up based on the smell, is also pleasant; though the typical chai flavours are subtle. So subtle in fact it's like pulling teeth to get the to reveal themselves, but they're there.
Now I rarely do this, but after half a cup of unimpressive tea I opted to add milk and sugar; true chai fashion. Night and day difference. The lemongrass flavours burst forth and the chai spices jump out at you! I enjoyed this tea so much more with this addition.
The missus isn't a fan of tea, but she did enjoy the smell of this one!Mon, 23 Jun 2014 19:23:14 -0400/teas/Lemon%20Grass%20Chai/10821-lemon-grass-chai?note=250418
Scottish Caramel Toffee Pu-Erh from EnjoyingTea.comReceived this and a few other goodies for Father's Day.
Opening the 4oz bag immediately filled the room with the titular caramel toffee aroma. I just HAD to try a cup right then and there! The pu-erh base tasted earthy, musty, and well...dirty, but I dove right in; baited by the powerful English toffee notes, your humble narrator's Achilles heel.
I felt the base just wasn't good enough for the flavour added by the toffee pieces and is the main reason for a lower rating on a recommended tea. The addition of a splash of milk and a tsp sugar help tremendously. I don't feel it lives up to the name of "dessert in a cup" but it definitely smells like it. I enjoyed it and will have no problem getting through 4oz, but it could've been so much better.
Tue, 24 Jun 2014 20:40:51 -0400/teas/Scottish%20Caramel%20Toffee%20Pu-Erh/27470-scottish-caramel-toffee-pu-erh?note=250578
Qi'Lan Fireside Oolong from TeavanaThis oolong is brilliant! It really does inspire thoughts of camping fireside drinking a nice hot tea after a long chilly hike. For me, teas that can bring back specific memories are invaluable.
This tea is very fragrant, has a toasty, roasted, woodsy scent. The taste isn't bland, but not as strong; still satisfying. An all around delicious tea!Thu, 26 Jun 2014 11:44:49 -0400/teas/Qi'Lan%20Fireside%20Oolong/43498-qilan-fireside-oolong?note=250906
Maharaja Chai/Samurai Chai Tea Blend from TeavanaThis is a delicious blend. I'm not terribly keen on chai tea or blends even, but this hits the mark on both for me. A nice spicy chai. Add a splash of milk and a little honey, and it's quite nice.Sat, 28 Jun 2014 01:02:42 -0400/teas/Maharaja%20Chai%2FSamurai%20Chai%20Tea%20Blend/31311-maharaja-chai-slash-samurai-chai-tea-blend?note=251227
Organic Green with Coconut Iced Tea from Harney & SonsNice iced tea. Had the pre-brewed bottled version. It wasn't bad at all.Thu, 31 Jul 2014 20:10:29 -0400/teas/Organic%20Green%20with%20Coconut%20Iced%20Tea/47849-organic-green-with-coconut-iced-tea?note=257211
Bai Mu Dan White Tea from Touch OrganicFound a box of this for 3 bucks whilst out shopping with the missus at big lots. Figured for 3 bucks "don't expect much, just enjoy a bagged white tea on a hot day".. I actually really like this. It's got great flavour, not too bitter or sweet; I'd say mild but that doesn't do it either as the taste is very present.
All in all its a steal and I'll probably go back for the rest of their supply just to fill up a tin and enjoy every now and then, especially on hot days, which seem to be every day here in San Diego.Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:28:43 -0400/teas/Bai%20Mu%20Dan%20White%20Tea/40300-bai-mu-dan-white-tea?note=260426
Pomegranate Acai White Tea from Tea of a KindWent to the Padres game last night ( 5-0, Suck it Giants!) and visited the concession stand. Sure, I could've paid $10 for a $2 Coors light, but why when I saw this little guy? It has that nice "Wow" factor when activating the Gizmo that drops the tea into the purified water and mixing it all together, and the flavour wasn't half bad. It's a sour pomegranate flavour and not much else. Says white tea on the label and I'm sure it's in there somewhere, but the fruit flavour is very strong. All in all it quenched my thirst at the ball game and I got a a new iced tea experience out of it.Sat, 20 Sep 2014 17:20:22 -0400/teas/Pomegranate%20Acai%20White%20Tea/51043-pomegranate-acai-white-tea?note=264968
2012 "Jia Ji Tuo" Raw Pu-erh from Xiaguan Tuocha Co. Ltd.Been hanging onto this for a year or 2 now, time to give it a little taste.
10s rinse.
15s: Colour is peachy; reddish/gold.
Green taste, like grass, and straw. Javan was spot on with the observation of artichoke.
30s: Deeper golden colour. has a slight smokey aroma; like tobacco.
Taste is more astringent; not overwhelmingly so. Leaves a great mouthfeel.
-Mouth cleansed with ice water.
20s: Same deep golden red colour and smokey aroma. taste causes an increase in saliva. Getting the melon flavour Javan spoke of is like pulling teeth, but it's there. Cantaloupe specifically. Empty cup smells sweet.
30s: Pale golden colour, the red seems to be leaving, as does the smokey aroma; both haven lessened noticeably. Much of the same flavour with an increase in bitterness.
35s: Slightly darker brew, with the same colour scheme; reddish gold. The smokey aroma is back. but the pleasant mouthfeel is gone. I'm left with a dry mouth and a thirst for more of this delicious tea. Just wish it wasn't making my mouth dry..
- Many leaves in my gaiwan are still pressed together, I'll agitate them and poke at them a bit with the lid to see if I can expose more leaf/flavour.
-Fresh pot of reboiled water cooled to 195F. Same leaves.
40s: Woah Surprise of the session - Colour has gone almost darker than the initial steep and has toned down the smokey aroma, Which can be good or bad depending on how you like your sheng. The taste is bitter-ish still, but vegetal to boot. I like it. Drank this one down like a blonde on spring break getting free shots.
50s: Getting quite bitter in these longer steeps though the colour is very appealing. Tossed this one out .
35s: Much better. Think this is the sweet spot steep time for me. No discernable change from my previous 35s steep. I'm feeling this tea's calming effect quite well.
4 more steeps at 35s yielded much of the same, albeit slightly weaker.
40s: trying to get a little more life out of this tea with a slightly longer steep. I'll do a few more of these 40s steeps and then I think I'm done.
Good tea. Could mature a bit more, I'll try again early next year. I bought a few of these touchas so I'm glad to be only tasting off of 1 and waiting until it's just right to tear into the others.Mon, 22 Sep 2014 12:52:02 -0400/teas/2012%20%22Jia%20Ji%20Tuo%22%20Raw%20Pu-erh/37974-2012-jia-ji-tuo-raw-pu-erh?note=265292
Citrus Mint Green Tea from Tea of a KindSmells like Bassett's Jelly Babies sweets; which is a good thing in my opinion. it isn't that sweet to taste though. Very nice on a hot day. Plus it has the cool gizmo thingy. My son loves opening these for me.
For an on the go drink, this one is a keeper. For the health nuts out there it says 2,188 mg antioxidants and 40 cals per bottle. 10g sugar.Mon, 22 Sep 2014 13:24:03 -0400/teas/Citrus%20Mint%20Green%20Tea/51226-citrus-mint-green-tea?note=265295
Mao Feng Green Tea from Whispering Pines Tea CompanyLove this stuff so much that I dedicated an yixing pot to it. An excellencent green tea, though as mentioned in another review, it's not as sweet as other mao fengs I've tried. I don't mind though.Tue, 23 Sep 2014 16:40:27 -0400/teas/Mao%20Feng%20Green%20Tea/43128-mao-feng-green-tea?note=265462
Imperial Shou Puerh Toucha from Whispering Pines Tea CompanyAwesome little toucha. Earthy taste with a cocoa, woody aroma. The dry leaves have a leathery scent. This is a bargain for the amount of flavour and steeps this little toucha offers.Wed, 24 Sep 2014 09:49:54 -0400/teas/Imperial%20Shou%20Puerh%20Toucha/30869-imperial-shou-puerh-toucha?note=265527
Vanilla Chai from English Tea StoreI like this tea, but I think, as reviewed earlier, the base tea provides a more "tea with vanilla flavour" than a "vanilla chai". It's good though and definitely worth checking out if you enjoy vanilla.Sat, 27 Sep 2014 00:05:40 -0400/teas/Vanilla%20Chai/27935-vanilla-chai?note=265959
DISCONTINUED - Mossy Cave Pu-erh Cups from Whispering Pines Tea CompanyMy experience with this toucha was similar to AllanK's. I got a couple tasty infusions and after 3 it was pretty weak. Tasty and worthy, I'll pick this one up again to meet my random, impulsive, quick pu-erh fixes.
Used short steeps- 10s rinse, 15s, 20s, 30s,25s, and a final 2 min steep.
Mon, 29 Sep 2014 23:51:11 -0400/teas/DISCONTINUED%20-%20Mossy%20Cave%20Pu-erh%20Cups/31472-discontinued-mossy-cave-pu-erh-cups?note=266423
Organic Oolong from Touch OrganicBagged oolong? I'm game - Grabbed a box of 25 at Big Lots for 2 bucks. Initially I was skeptical and mostly uninterested in this, but thought I'll try it what's the worst that'll happen? The dry, bagged "leaves" were unimpressive in every aspect; unattractive, un-aromatic, and unappealing, but I quickly got over these downfalls as I poured the hot water over the bag....
A wonderful woodsy, roasted, campfire, outdoorsy aroma filled my cup. The aroma is truly amazing and exciting to me. The taste left a lot of room for improvement, but wasn't horrible. I'll not say it was great, but it was more than expected; a little stale mixed with some potential.
Teas like this are tricky to grade, you have to account for many variables that boil down to personal preference and also remember that this was just 2 bucks... I'd buy it again if not just to fill my house with the amazing aroma, but I dont mind drinking it either. Unimpressive bit completely acceptable for my house.Thu, 02 Oct 2014 19:11:26 -0400/teas/Organic%20Oolong/17976-organic-oolong?note=266907
Dragonwell from TeavanaI love this a stuff! Nutty, vegetable aroma.. traditional dragonwell steeping method is the best for this tea and it guarantees exceptional flavour and multiple aromatic infusions. Don't miss out. The only better longjing I've had is the fresh harvest from verdant tea (review coming soon). Longjing teas always have a home in my cupboard and this sits near the front.Thu, 02 Oct 2014 19:42:57 -0400/teas/Dragonwell/3010-dragonwell?note=266910
Chamomile Citron from Tea ForteIt's supposed to be a chamomile/lemon/ mint blend, but for me it was just an unorganised mess of tastes and smells. Granted-herbal teas/blends, aren't my thing. In fact, if the missus hadn't have gotten me this from the hotel, I would've been content to have never had this. It's ok, but I wouldn't get anymore.
Add some honey and it's acceptable, as the honey masks the mess of flavorsFri, 03 Oct 2014 10:18:19 -0400/teas/Chamomile%20Citron/11812-chamomile-citron?note=267005
Sweet Dreams from BigelowRelieved a certain office of a bag of this, and a few other Bigelow blends. It's not really my thing, but I wanted to try it, just to say I did on here. Chamomile isn't anything I care about so my review will be biased.
Dry bag smells mostly of mint, and a tad bit of chamomile. Steeped is mostly the same but the hibiscus really comes out. Brownish liquid with chamomile aroma.
I used the bag because I wasn't in the mood to clean up after making a proper tea, so, meh...Mon, 06 Oct 2014 23:59:23 -0400/teas/Sweet%20Dreams/542-sweet-dreams?note=267522
Enchanting Moments from Farmer BrothersOne of the teas available in our B&B room on vacation to Julian. Tastes like minty chamomile; as expected from reading the ingredients. Nothing I'd ever buy, but it was just sitting there in the room so why not. Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:22:35 -0400/teas/Enchanting%20Moments/48057-enchanting-moments?note=269691
Green Tea from Farmer BrothersTea at the Julian Grill with dinner. Not terribly good stuff. But it worked alright with my Chicken Julian salad. So far, nothing impressive about this brand.Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:29:56 -0400/teas/Green%20Tea/22754-green-tea?note=269692
Apple Cinnamon from TeaopiaThis was a free sample from the Julian tea cottage. Overall it's not impressive. Couldn't taste much apple or cinnamon, but the black base was quite nice. There could've been more apple or cinnamon to justify its namesake, but then again these fruity teas aren't my thing anyway..Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:35:26 -0400/teas/Apple%20Cinnamon/15053-apple-cinnamon?note=269695
Gunpowder Green from Numi Organic TeaTried this mediocre bad boy at cheesecake factory with the missus. Went well with the burger I had, nice strong flavour. The tea flavour was somewhat lacking but it had a nice "umph".Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:41:39 -0400/teas/Gunpowder%20Green/845-gunpowder-green?note=269697
Lapsang Souchong from Ashby's of LondonBought from Julian tea cottage.
Oh yeah! This is the stuff! My first Lapsang Souchong and it's brilliant. Lovely woodsy, Smokey, tobacco, Whiskey aroma and taste. This has just become a staple in my cupboard and apart of my morning routine. I like everything about this tea; everything.Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:46:45 -0400/teas/Lapsang%20Souchong/52551-lapsang-souchong?note=269698
Genmaicha from Davidson'sPurchased from Julian Tea Cotttage.
Nice little genmaitcha, but nothing to set it apart from others. It's your basic toasty rice green tea, good for anytime any day.Sat, 18 Oct 2014 23:55:18 -0400/teas/Genmaicha/4201-genmaicha?note=269699
Cherries Jubilee from Davidson'sSilvia's choice at the Julian tea cottage.
Yuck! Disgusting, putrid, vile, utter crap. Horrible stuff. Ugh.... Tatses like hot medicine. It's probably very good for someone who likes fruit teas, I'm not that person.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 15:46:52 -0400/teas/Cherries%20Jubilee/29024-cherries-jubilee?note=269838
Hojicha from Capital TeasMy third bag of tea purchased from Julian tea cottage.
Best way to d describe this tea is "balanced" I can't seem to find a time when this tea isn't suitable... bedtime, morning, dinner, and mid-meal; this tea goes with everything. Not particularly flavourful, aside from some love roasted, nutty, mosquito notes, but that's most likely what gives it this versatility. Very much recommended.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 15:53:18 -0400/teas/Hojicha/36272-hojicha?note=269840
Shui Jin Gui Wuyi Oolong from Verdant TeaGood shit right here. Finished it off and shed a wee tear... well worth every sip. Wuyi Oolongs never dissapoint.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:01:25 -0400/teas/Shui%20Jin%20Gui%20Wuyi%20Oolong/34846-shui-jin-gui-wuyi-oolong?note=269867
Chamomile Citron from Tea ForteBrewed this for my little sick guy. He hated it whilst I didn't mind much. Wouldn't buy it, but as a free sample it delivered for my boy's illeness; put him right to bed.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:04:11 -0400/teas/Chamomile%20Citron/11812-chamomile-citron?note=269868
Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Cut Black Tea from Royal CupSwiped a handful of these from Hometown buffet on our most recent outing. met my needs at the time, but like buffet food, its dry, and unappealing. Great during my meal, but now I'm left with a handful of guilt to remind me of my greed.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:06:28 -0400/teas/Orange%20Pekoe%20and%20Pekoe%20Cut%20Black%20Tea/15133-orange-pekoe-and-pekoe-cut-black-tea?note=269869
Chamomile from The Coffee Bean & Tea LeafWhat's to say? its chamomile.... tastes like it, smells like it, and puts my wee one to bed; does the trick, but's not for me.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:09:15 -0400/teas/Chamomile/41969-chamomile?note=269870
Oi Ocha from Ito EnWorld Market pick-up. Great stuff on a hot day. Not a whole lot to offer, but what it packs in the bottle is pure refreshment.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:14:30 -0400/teas/Oi%20Ocha/11181-oi-ocha?note=269871
Oolong Shot from Ito EnNice heavy oolong,. The weight of the can is nice, like the sencha shot, and the taste of the oolong is nice, not spicy or bland, but fitting for a warm day.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:16:04 -0400/teas/Oolong%20Shot/2811-oolong-shot?note=269872
Sencha Shot from Ito EnWorld Market snag. Good stuff; better, imo, than reaching for a red bull. Does what it says on the tine, cold strong sencha; nice as well.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:18:56 -0400/teas/Sencha%20Shot/2022-sencha-shot?note=269874
Medium-roast Jin Xuan from Whispering Pines Tea CompanyDelicious roasty oolong. Could easily be a coffee substitute for those so inclined to do so. Myself, I like this in the evening after work, rejuvenates and calms me from a stressful day. Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:21:12 -0400/teas/Medium-roast%20Jin%20Xuan/40686-medium-roast-jin-xuan?note=269875
Dark Roast Anxi Tieguanyin from Whispering Pines Tea CompanyVery roasty and long steeping oolong. delicious stuff. Can easily get 5-6 infusions out of this each is different from the last. Wonderful stuff, I'm sad to have ran out..Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:24:15 -0400/teas/Dark%20Roast%20Anxi%20Tieguanyin/32350-dark-roast-anxi-tieguanyin?note=269877
The Sleeping Bear Blend from Whispering Pines Tea CompanyAs a woodworker, hiker, and nature enthusiast, nothing this easily accessible, gets my senses going as pine does. These fresh dry needles strike a harmonious chord inside me, filling my cup with inspiration and delight. Perfect for rainy days and cool nights alike. I wouldn't change a thing, Brenden. In fact, this blend has inspired me to wildcraft my own pine needles, using your methods to create my own green tea blends, as well as adding to soup stocks ... good $4!T man.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:28:42 -0400/teas/The%20Sleeping%20Bear%20Blend/30443-the-sleeping-bear-blend?note=269879
Yunnan White Jasmine from Verdant TeaJasmine isn't always my thing, but guests seem to enjoy it, thus I have a yixing dedicated to it.
This tea doesn't disappoint, nothing artifical in the taste or smell, just a lovely, delicious white jasmine.Sun, 19 Oct 2014 18:32:33 -0400/teas/Yunnan%20White%20Jasmine/22979-yunnan-white-jasmine?note=269881
Holiday Tea from Harney & SonsPicked up a tin of this, my first Harney & Son's tin of tea, looking for something a little special for a nightly sip until Christmas.
After popping the top on the tin and taking in the aroma, all I can think of is a Terry's Chocolate Orange... which I just so happen to love!
Sadly the taste falls short compared to the aroma, so I did the next best thing: a couple slices of a Terry's Chocolate Orange served with this tea.... Christmas memories in the making!Sun, 07 Dec 2014 22:58:37 -0500/teas/Holiday%20Tea/2272-holiday-tea?note=278016
Qing Pin Black Tea from Yezi TeaBrilliant stuff!
Aroma of cocoa, and bread.
Taste reminds me of black Dragon pearls, but better!
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lot more of this to drink up tonight.Thu, 11 Dec 2014 22:17:34 -0500/teas/Qing%20Pin%20Black%20Tea/39601-qing-pin-black-tea?note=278751
Wen Shan Pouchong Oolong Tea from Yezi TeaFree Yezi tea sample.
Aroma is light and green; vegetal is too strong a descriptor, this is far more delicate... it's also mildly sweet.
Taste is where this oolong shines, not only does it withstand a good few infusions, 4 before I found the taste to be too far removed from the first steep, but it also stays right with the aroma; something not enough teas manage. I'll definitely be buying more of this
Mon, 15 Dec 2014 23:14:32 -0500/teas/Wen%20Shan%20Pouchong%20Oolong%20Tea/40200-wen-shan-pouchong-oolong-tea?note=279398
Shui Xian Da Hong Pao Oolong Tea from Yezi TeaOnly my second Da Hong Pao, and if I remember correctly the first doesn't impress too much and took a bit took get right. Maybe I'm more "capable" around tea now or maybe this particular Da Hong Pao is more user friendly...
Great aroma, touch of spice with some vanilla maybe. I like it. The taste has a roasted hint to it and some more spice. I had about 4 steeps with it staying this resilient.
Thank to Yezi Tea for the sampleThu, 18 Dec 2014 21:17:02 -0500/teas/Shui%20Xian%20Da%20Hong%20Pao%20Oolong%20Tea/39732-shui-xian-da-hong-pao-oolong-tea?note=279889
Tie Guan Yin Master Grade from Yezi TeaLovely stuff! Ridiculously thick leaves give off an incredible floral aroma; the dry leaves are nothing short of intoxicating.
The tea's liquor is buttery are soft; light but compelling.
Highly recommended.
Thanks Yezi!Fri, 19 Dec 2014 00:28:33 -0500/teas/Tie%20Guan%20Yin%20Master%20Grade/39721-tie-guan-yin-master-grade?note=279907
Yunnan Xiao Ba Wang Pu'erh Tea from Yezi TeaSteeped this gongfu, of course, and couldn't be more pleased with the results.
Although Yezi recommends an initial steep of 30 seconds, adding 10-15s per additional steep, I opted for far shorter initial steeps: 10s rinse, then 5,10,15,20,25,30,40,60,90,120,240, and 360 seconds.
I had a black cherry aroma mixed with something else, something earthy and old; when I say old, past-their-prime tangerines, I don't mean it badly, but maybe that was it... it's got that great earthy pu-erh aroma as long as you look for it. As pu-erhs go, this is pretty light.
This tea can get bitter quickly if you don't keep an good eye on it, but if checked it's fantastic.Fri, 19 Dec 2014 00:33:29 -0500/teas/Yunnan%20Xiao%20Ba%20Wang%20Pu'erh%20Tea/48011-yunnan-xiao-ba-wang-puerh-tea?note=279909
Jin Jun Mei Black Tea from Yezi TeaQuite nice. This is the only Jin Jun Mei I've had so I'm unable to compare it to anything, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't find it as anything terribly special about it, just a nice cup of black tea with typical malty notes of grains and cocoa, but enjoyable none-the-less. Sun, 21 Dec 2014 15:32:05 -0500/teas/Jin%20Jun%20Mei%20Black%20Tea/39733-jin-jun-mei-black-tea?note=280201
Black Dragon Pearl from TeavanaGoing through my tea log, I was surprised to see that I hadn't rated this tea, considering it was one of my first from Teavana.
This is magical stuff, warm rich cocoa tones balanced out by grainy, malty notes with the slightest hint of something woodsy. Had to get an Yixing pot just for this bad boy.; I thought it that good!
4 pearls is plenty for my pot and lasts through a fair amount of infusions, 5-6 pot-fulls... and I still have about 35 pearls left from my order last year!
Only real downside is the outrageous price. When I run out, I might try a less expensive option, but I'd imagine I'll always have some black dragon pearls in my cupboard at all times.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 15:42:40 -0500/teas/Black%20Dragon%20Pearl/559-black-dragon-pearl?note=280205
Samurai Chai Maté from TeavanaI like the spiciness of this chai/mate; it's not overbearing, but delightful. I purchased a couple ounces of this tea a year ago and still have it in a tin, I drink a cup every now and then. I probably won't buy more when I run out, but it's nice to have something a little different from time to time.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 15:52:34 -0500/teas/Samurai%20Chai%20Mat%C3%A9/590-samurai-chai-mate?note=280207
Sencha Jade Reserve from TeavanaI really like this sencha. Nothing extremely impressive about it compared to any quality sencha, but it nails the "typical" flavour that sencha imparts- bright nutty vegetal aroma and tatse.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 15:55:33 -0500/teas/Sencha%20Jade%20Reserve/22569-sencha-jade-reserve?note=280208
Matcha Japanese Green Tea [New Version] from TeavanaOverpriced but good. Whisks up a nice bright green tea. Matcha is actually the reason I found Teavana. I've had matcha quite a few times from local vendors in LA and upon moving to SD I was eager to find a tea shop that sells it, one quick search on the internet directed me to a "little" store I had never heard of before- Teavana. Bought a tin of this and enjoyed it immensely. I've bought several of them over the years and the consistency has been spot on. I'm sure there are better quality matchas, in fact, I know there are, but the convenience of driving 10 mins to Teavana, trumps a scavanger hunt... at least for now.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 15:59:32 -0500/teas/Matcha%20Japanese%20Green%20Tea%20%5BNew%20Version%5D/12491-matcha-japanese-green-tea-new-version?note=280210
Mango Maté Pu-erh Punch Maté Tea from TeavanaThis disgusting stuff, full of crap that escapes any infuser I use. Can't even taste the pu-erh... just tastes like .... I have no idea, couldn't finish the cup.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 16:04:53 -0500/teas/Mango%20Mat%C3%A9%20Pu-erh%20Punch%20Mat%C3%A9%20Tea/30596-mango-mate-pu-erh-punch-mate-tea?note=280211
Jade Dragon Mao Feng Green Tea from TeavanaDelicious! This Mao Feng is uncomplicated and straightforward. Light, creamy, savoury taste with an aroma of...let's just call it "dinner". You know that feeling you get in your stomach when dinner is ready and the plate is in front of you and you are just about to dig in? That's what this smells like. It smells like that good feeling...Sun, 21 Dec 2014 16:26:05 -0500/teas/Jade%20Dragon%20Mao%20Feng%20Green%20Tea/30606-jade-dragon-mao-feng-green-tea?note=280216
Yunnan Golden Pu-erh Tea from TeavanaThe taste comes off alright, though I think I'd rather have the pu-erh or the Yunnan Black separated. The tea blend seems like a perfect fit for a first cup of the day; if not for one small issue I have- one steep only! Sure there are plenty teas that are good for only one infusion, but a single steep pu-erh? A single steep Yunnan black? I don't think so... how is it that combining two fantastic teas, somehow lessens it's versatility?
But for what it is, it's pretty nice.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 17:27:30 -0500/teas/Yunnan%20Golden%20Pu-erh%20Tea/30605-yunnan-golden-pu-erh-tea?note=280221
Silver Needle from TeavanaNice light grassy taste with subtle nutty undertones; very subtle. Very enjoyable.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 18:37:02 -0500/teas/Silver%20Needle/1995-silver-needle?note=280230
Jasmine Dragon Phoenix Pearls from TeavanaBrews a nice, quality cup of jasmine tea. The jasmine flavour can be a bit strong at times, but you can adjust the quantity of pearls and figure it out. I use 4 pears for a 12oz mug and I get 2 nice infusions out of them. Sun, 21 Dec 2014 18:38:53 -0500/teas/Jasmine%20Dragon%20Phoenix%20Pearls/511-jasmine-dragon-phoenix-pearls?note=280231
Peach Momotaro Artisan Tea from TeavanaOf course, the bloomed ball is spectacular to look at. Light jasmine and some artificial peach flavour round out the taste of the tea. I don't get any bitterness, and it's a cool tea to have here and there, but a bit gimmicky as well. I wouldn't say no to a pot, but I don't think I'd buy more for myself.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 19:01:40 -0500/teas/Peach%20Momotaro%20Artisan%20Tea/4163-peach-momotaro-artisan-tea?note=280234
Autumn Laoshan Green from Verdant TeaI really enjoyed this one. The taste is amazingly green, as it should be, but then there is that sweet aftertaste I hadn't expected. It really is an excellent quallity tea and I'm very happy to have had it.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 19:07:14 -0500/teas/Autumn%20Laoshan%20Green/24154-autumn-laoshan-green?note=280237
Laoshan Black from Verdant TeaCreamy, rich, dark chocolate caramel! It has a nice earthy feel without the roasted flavour. It's pretty darn good..
On a side note, I love the way David brings the farmers into the picture. Whilst sipping this tea, I was thinking of the He family, the work that went into producing this marvellous tea, and the general life of a tea farmer. I'm very grateful.Sun, 21 Dec 2014 19:12:08 -0500/teas/Laoshan%20Black/20064-laoshan-black?note=280238
Hand Picked Early Spring Tieguanyin (2013) from Verdant TeaFull disclosure: I love TGYs. A lot. So the ability to have this Early Spring release was like opening a Christmas present to me.
Upon opening and inspecting my order, The floral notes, ever present in TGY, hit home straight away and I instinctively reach for my porcelain gaiwan and get to work on trying this out.
On first sip, you instantly get hit with the buttery light notes of the TGY and the floral aroma inhaled, mixes with the liquid and brings you that much closer to relaxation.
I honestly really, really, really, liked this tea. Sun, 21 Dec 2014 19:17:10 -0500/teas/Hand%20Picked%20Early%20Spring%20Tieguanyin%20(2013)/37638-hand-picked-early-spring-tieguanyin-2013?note=280240